Kala Dunn

Pinocchio singing, Bambi and Thumper on ice, Lady and the Tramp eating spaghetti, "I Wanna Be Like You" from The Jungle Book, the dwarfs surrounding "dead" Snow White, penguins dancing with Mary Poppins and so, so many more memorable moments in Disney classics... animated by Frank Thomas (1912-2004) who turns 100 today.

It’s Wednesday, September 5

Murray Family Church hosts a “Refuse to Be a Victim” crime prevention seminar tomorrow evening at 6.  The three to four hour seminar promotes awareness and prevention of criminal confrontations, including tips on home, automobile, phone, technology, and travel safety.  The cost is $25 per person; pre-register by calling (270) 293-1223.

On September 4, 1957, Governor Orval Faubus deployed the Arkansas National Guard to support segregationists blocking nine African American students from entering Little Rock Central High School. Three weeks later, President Eisenhower sent our region's own 101st Airborne Division to protect the students and then federalized the Arkansas National Guard.

It’s Tuesday, September 4

The Murray Choral Society holds voice placement auditions for all singers, ages 15 and up, during the month of September.  Beginning October 1st, the group rehearses Monday nights from 6 to 7:30 to prepare a holiday concert.  For more information or to schedule an audition, call Dr. Amy Aucoin at (270) 809-6459.

Nothing better than a Monday off of work. Wait... what am I doing here?! Labor Day celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers. Under President Cleveland, Congress unanimously voted to approve the holiday after the deaths of workers at the hands of the military during the Pullman Strike. 

It’s Labor Day, September 3

The City of Mayfield holds an organizational meeting for the second phase of the Let’s Paint the Town project. The project raises funds for paint and other supplies, then uses volunteer labor to improve the look of the downtown area. Volunteers and other interested individuals are invited to come to City Hall tomorrow evening at 5 to learn more.

This Roman emperor is really, really old today, but he was only 24 when he succeeded his great-uncle (and 28 when he was assassinated). He is largely remembered as a cruel, extravagant, and perverse tyrant who sought unconstrained power. However, he initiated the construction of two new aqueducts and annexed Mauretania. But that stuff's not as interesting.

It’s Friday, August 31

The Humane Society of Calloway County holds Dog and Puppy Obedience Classes beginning September 5th.  Classes meet Wednesdays at 6PM, with an eight-week series for dogs and a seven-week series for puppies.  The cost is $50 for Humane Society members, or $70 for non-members.  To register, call (270) 759-1884.

Thurgood Marshall made history on this day in 1967, as the first African American Justice of the United States Supreme Court. He gained fame for the victory of Brown v. Board of Education, and argued more cases before the US Supreme Court than anyone else in history. "What is the quality of your intent?" - Thurgood Marshall

It’s Thursday, August 30

Fern Fest celebrates music in Marshall County on Saturday from 4 to 9 at Calvert City’s Memorial Park.  The free event features music from the Marshall County High School Marching Band, the Paducah Jazz Orchestra, and others.

On August 29, 1966, Beatles fans packed Candlestick Park in San Francisco for what would be their last live concert. Afterward, they embraced an experimental approach to their music, recording first Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. The final performance concluded four years of touring over 1,400 concerts. I guess all they needed... was love.

It’s Wednesday, August 29

Land Between the Lakes hosts a Full Moon Canoe Trip on Friday from 7 to 9:30 PM, weather permitting.  The cost is $25 per canoe; reservations and full deposits are required.  Call (270) 924-2020 to reserve your space and learn the meeting location. 

Leo Tolstoy turns 184 today! He was a Russian writer most famous for War and Peace and Anna Karenina - considered two of the greatest novels of all time. His writing is complicated and paradoxical, inciting moral and social reform in a time of spiritual awakening in Russia. Speed-reader Howard Berg can read War and Peace in 15 minutes. I can read it in 14.

It’s Tuesday, August 28

Saturday is the deadline to register for the Retreat and Refresh Stroke Camp, open to stroke survivors, caregivers, and family members.  The camp offers educational sessions, and activities tailored to the challenges stroke survivors face. The camp runs September 21 through the 23 at Lake Barkley State Resort Park.  Find more information at strokecamp.org.

Though our curiosity has recently turned to Mars, NASA launched a probe to Venus on this day in 1962. Mariner 2 was the first space probe to conduct a successful planetary encounter. Though no cameras were on board (too cloudy), it collected important details on Venus' atmosphere. Mariner 2 now floats in space, defunct, pondering the meaning of its brief existence.

It’s Monday, August 27

Paducah’s Market House Theatre holds auditions for the Roald Dahl musical Willy Wonka Jr.  Actors between the ages of 8 and 18 may audition tonight and tomorrow night beginning at 5 in the Studio Theatre classroom, located at 120 Market House Square.  For more information, call (270) 444-6828.

Poor Pluto... On this day in 2006, the International Astronomical Union redefined the term "planet." Under the new rules, Pluto is now considered a Dwarf Planet. But we love it just the same.

It’s Friday, August 24

The Murray Band Boosters Fall Pancake Breakfast is tomorrow morning from 7:30 to 10:30 at the MurrayMiddle School cafeteria.  A $5 ticket buys all-you-can-eat pancakes, eggs, sausage, and a drink.  Proceeds help with instrument repairs, equipment, transportation, and other band expenses. 

Gene Kelly was a dancer and singer best known for Singin' in the Rain and An American in Paris. In the 1940s and 50s, he transformed Hollywood musicals and brought ballet to the big screen. In 1999, the American Film Institute named Kelly the 15th Greatest Male Star of All Time. We'll dance to that!

It’s Thursday, August 23

Tomorrow night offers three art exhibit receptions on the Murray State University campus.  Artwork by Benjamin Rogers, David Carpenter, and Esther Randall is displayed in the Clara M. Eagle Gallery, and artwork by Cody Arnall is displayed in the Curris Center Gallery.  The receptions are from 6 to 8 in both locations.  Learn more at murraystate.edu/artgallery.